A Thank You Letter To All Our Readers

Dear readers and fans of A Winning Habit,

What a ride it’s been! From the extreme high of having no business being in the Stanley Cup Finals a year ago to being the first team to finish dead last the following season. Calling this a rollercoaster ride is an understatement.

It’s literally Homer Simpson falling off the cliff. Speech and all.

This season has given us everything on top of a pandemic that until recently, seemed like it would never end.

A general manager who dodged bullets more often than Neo in the Matrix was finally let go after a decade at the helm of one of the most storied sports franchises in the world. Replaced with a former player agent with no NHL experience in an administrative role and an American anglophone who would sit one step higher as the new Vice President of the team.

MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 19: Montreal Canadiens, Jeff Gorton (L) and Kent Hughes. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

A coach we thought had a chance of making a career in the NHL was pushed aside after being unable to handle the pressure. Then being replaced with an inexperienced former NHL player who, despite being extremely well-liked and respected, gave fans of a certain age intense chills hoping this wasn’t another Rejean Houle/Mario Tremblay scenario-to-be.

MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 24: Interim head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Martin St. Louis handles bench duties during the third period against the Boston Bruins at Centre Bell on April 24, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Our captain was announced to be all but gone.

MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 29: Current captain for the Montreal Canadiens, Shea Weber #6, steps onto the ice to honour Pierre Gervais in his last game as equipment manager at Centre Bell on April 29, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. In 35 years, Pierre Gervais has worked 3,112 NHL games and has won a Stanley Cup. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Florida Panthers 10-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Our star goaltender couldn’t heal properly and even had to go to rehab. Came back but finished the season leaving us wonder if he’ll ever be back again.

MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 29: Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens stands during the anthems prior to the game against the Florida Panthers at Centre Bell on April 29, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Florida Panthers 10-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

As the losses piled up, some of our favorites were traded and are now donning unfamiliar and quasi-uncomfortable colors.

EDMONTON, AB – APRIL 09: Artturi Lehkonen #62 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Rogers Place on April 9, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

Everyone was just unhappy.

But it wasn’t all bad.

Rookies stood up. Some veterans found new life. Some frowns turned into smiles and fans backed up their team even though they finished 32nd in the NHL. Almost hard to believe fans still packed the Bell Center.

Through all of that, new heroes were born.

NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 27: Cole Caufield #22 of the Montreal Canadiens and Nick Suzuki. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /

New players got their first taste of the NHL and immediately got cheered.

Apr 24, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jordan Harris (54) skates without a helmet in homage to Guy Lafleur during the warmup period before the game against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

You readers were all there throughout the thick and thin.

All season we bombarded you with more bad news and negative opinions than usual. Rumors and opinions that swirled in all directions lighting a raging fire in the comments sections.

But we walked together. We grieved and cried together when one of our idols left us. We argued and agreed over nothing and everything.

MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 24: The Montreal Canadiens honour the passing of Guy Lafleur by lighting his number 10 during a pregame ceremony prior to their game against the Boston Bruins at Centre Bell on April 24, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. Montreal Canadiens’ alumni Guy Lafleur passed away on April 22, 2022 due to a battle with lung cancer. He was 70 years of age. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

We all stood together as fans of the Montreal Canadiens.

On behalf of myself, my Co-Site Expert Ken MacMillan and our incredible contributors in Joshua Rosa, Scott Cowan, Sebastian High, John Wiens and Lindsay Martell, with a special shout out to our former teammate Maria Bouabdo who was part of the early adventures of this season – we would like to say THANK YOU!

It’s because of you that A Winning Habit has thrived as one of the top hockey websites in the country. Millions of you have flocked over and supported us.

For those that are new to our site, this is not the end. We don’t take the summer off! Our offseason might have started earlier than anticipated but we will still make sure we give you the best content possible.

Merci encore pour votre support. C’est un honneur d’être parmi les meilleurs partisants au monde.

Thank you again for your support. It is an honor to be amongst the best fans in the world.

GO HABS GO!

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